are my fish fighting?

[Meshmez]

So i just added a lemon peel angel to my aquarium, and he and my velvet damsel keep flipping their tails at one another. im assuming this is them being territorial, but i thought they were supposed to be compatible? Should i remove one of them? and if so, any suggestions on how to catch them?! they are fast and i have given them way too many hiding spots in my live rock...

[Gary Majchrzak]

welcome to RC!

How big is your aquarium?

Your fish are trying to establish who's the boss.

[Meshmez]

Thank you!

Its a 55 gallon. I just want to make sure the lemon peel isnt going to stress and die...

[Gary Majchrzak]

but Lemonpeels and Velvet Damsels aren't exactly what you'd call peaceful fish..................

[Meshmez]

ok.. so... should i pull the damsel out? or are they going to work it out.

[chimmike]

damsels are widely known as some of the most aggressive fish there are. I'd personally never put a damsel in any tank, but that's just me. I don't want some little pipsqueak fish harassing my more expensive fish!

[Agu]

Typical advice is to change the territory so neither one is dominant. Usually that means changing the rockwork which usually isn't a viable alternative. Better alternative is to turn off the lights and put a couple of items in the tank to change the environment. I used to have a kool aid pitcher with a big smile on it that did the job but even a couple of coffee mugs will work.

Doesn't mean they'll become best friends but it will temporarily diffuse the aggression.